||illi"»»*«"™T 

014 180 145 4 ^ 



)8 

y 1 BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 



HE^misra 



BEFORE THE 



SUBCOMMITTEE 



OF THE 



IMMITIE ON AGKICOLTOHi; AND mmi 



UNITED STATES SENATE, 



'THXIRSIDAY, JA^STTJARY i^6, 1899. 



ON 



THE BILL (S. 4698) TO ESTABLISH A BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 



WASHINGTON: 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 

1908. . 



''Ci 



■7^ 






BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 



Thursday, January 26^ 1899. 

The subcommittee met at half past 10 o'clock a. m. 

Present, Senators Gear (chairman), Hansbrough, and Roach; also, 
Miss Emma C. Sickels, Mrs. James H. Kyle, and Mrs. Charles W. 
Fairbanks, representing the Domestic Science Association; Dr. 
Tarleton H. Bean, of the National Pure Food Association; and Mr. 
John Trimble, secretary of the National Grange, Patrons of Hus- 
bandry. 

The Chairman. Who is to be the spokesman ? 

Mrs. Kyle. Miss Sickels. 

The Chairman. Miss Sickels, we will hear you with great pleasure. 

STATEMENT BY MISS EMMA C. SICKELS. 

Miss Sickels. Mr. Chairman, the object of our conference this 
morning is to present to you the subject of domestic science, or the 
systematic means by which the uses and methods of the preparation 
of food may be made more Avidely known among the women and in 
the homes of our country. 

The objects of our National Domestic Science Association are the 
promotion and development of a systematic knowledge of the best 
methods and appliances for domestic art and the placing of the best 
foods before the greatest number of people. One year ago the follow- 
ing resolution was adopted by the Farmers' National Congress held 
in Indianapolis, Ind. : 

Whereas the ultimate object of aj^rioulture is the lu'odnotion of food for 
mankind ; 

Whereas that object fails in the most essential point if the food which is pro- 
duced with skill is ruined in preparation throuiih ignorance : Therefore, be it 

Resolved, That we, the National Farmers' Congress, use our active influence 
and effort toward establishing a bureau of domestic science in the Department 
of Agriculture at Washington and in the various State agricultural fairs, col- 
leges, and institutes throughout the nation, where best methods and appliances 
for the preparation of food may be presented in connection with best methods 
and appliances for its production. 

Miss Emma C. Sickels, of the National Domestic Science Associa- 
tion, was appointed by the president of the National Farmers' Con- 
gress chairman of the committee on domestic science, to act under 
this resolution, of which committee Mrs. John M. Palmer, of Spring- 
field, 111.; Mrs. James H. Kyle, of Aberdeen, S. Dak.; Mr. John M. 
Stahl, secretary of the National Farmers' Congress; Hon. William 
H. Liggett, dean of the Minnesota Agricultural College; Mrs. H. 
Thane Miller, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Hon. Franklin Dye, secretary of 

3 



4 BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 

the New Jersey State board of agriculture; and F. E. Dawley, di- 
rector of farniers' institutes, New Tork State, are the members. All 
of these are connected with some phase of the work of domestic 
science from their different standpoints. 

During the past year these representatives of different bodies and 
phases of the work of domestic science in its practical application to 
the study and preparation of food haA^e been cooperating in pro- 
moting an interest in this study. It is found that in different agri- 
cultural colleges there are now departments of domestic science 
which are handicapped for lack of funds, but they are even more 
handicap]3ed by the lack of a uniform system of instruction. 

The Avomen of the conntry are showing their desire to liave an op- 
portunity for education in this work, which is to them of such vital 
importance. A bill was introduced at the close of the last session, 
know^n as Senate bill 4()98, by Avhich a bureau of domestic science, 
to be connected with the Department of Agriculture, in Washington, 
is proposed to be established. The Secretary of Agriculture, to whom 
letters were sent by different members of this committee on domestic 
science, and Dr. True, in charge of the fruit investigations of the De- 
partment of Agriculture, informed the representative of the com- 
mittee that the practicable and desirable w^ay of carrying out the 
l^urposes of tlie bill would be through the insertion of a clause in the 
agricultural appropriation bill noAv pending. On page 19 of the 
agricultural appropriation bill, in the apj^ropriation made for nutri- 
tion investigations, the suggestion is made to insert a proviso so as 
to make the provision read : 

For nutrition investigations * * * $25,000 : Provided Tliat $10,000 of this 
sum shall be expended for investigations and reports upon best methods and 
appliances for the preparation of food, with a view to advancing the interests 
of domestic science and to securing useful information for distribution in the 
homes of the people. 

The Chairman. That is the amendment you propose to the agri- 
cultural appropriation bill? 

Miss SiCKELS. Yes; by which the provisions of Senate bill 4698 
can be carried out. 

Mrs. Fairbanks. But the whole appropriation is $25,000, instead 
of $10,000 as is provided in Senate bill 4698. 

Miss SiCKELS. The agricultural bill already provides $15,000 for 
nutrition investigations. The bill as we desire to have it amended 
will increase that sum to $25,000. 

The Chairman. I have here a letter from the Secretary of Agri- 
culture, addressed to Mr. Proctor, in which he states that — 

For some years past Congress has appropriated $15,000 for nutrition investi- 
gations in this Department, to enable the Secretary of Agriculture " to investi- 
gate and report upon the nutritive value of the various articles and commodi- 
ties used for human food, with special suggestions of full, wholesome, and edible 
rations, less wasteful and more economical than those in common use." 

Now you request that $10,000 shall be added to this fund, for the 
establishment of a special bureau in the Agricultural Department, to 
be devoted to the subject of domestic science? 

Miss SiCKELS. Yes; in order that the States which are now carry- 
ing on the work in the different agricultural colleges may be aided 
through the Department of Agriculture; that reports on the subject 



BUFiEAr OF n(^'\rES'n(' s("nr:j^cE. 5 

of domestic scieiur may be sent to and througli the Department of 
AaTicultnre. 

The farmers' institntes are the founders of the project for the 
establishment of a bureau of domestic science in the Department of 
Agricuhure. It is thouofht by the institutes that the most practical 
way is to work through the agricultural colleges, which have already 
taken up that study and desire to have enlarged facilities for the 
women of the States. Through the farmers' institutes the study of 
domestic science has been taken up in New York, New Jersey, and 
Minnesota. There may be other States which have taken up the 
study systematically, but I am not prepared now to name them. The 
State of Illinois has organized an Illinois Domestic Science Associa- 
tion, connected with the Farmers' Institute of the State, having a 
branch in every county. 

After this thorough organization, after having received all of the 
food bulletins now published by the Department of Agriculture and 
given them intelligent thought and study, the president of the Illinois 
Domestic Science Association writes that the difficulty is that they 
find so little reliable information and practical means of instruction 
for use in the homes. This is similar to the experience found through 
the different States. The ladies of Iowa liave written, that they have 
organized, and that throughout tlie State they are united in desiring 
a more practical means than that Avhich is now afforded, so that they 
can make a more intelligent use of the food upon which the health and 
welfare of the family depend, and that they ma^^ have some more 
reliable means of knowing how to prepare that food in a practical 
way for the use of their families. 

The Chair^ian. What ladies in Iowa are at the head of this move- 
ment ? 

Miss SiCKELS. Mrs. Stone, of Marshalltown, Iowa, and I have a 
letter here from Mrs. Georire J. Stevens, of Sioux Citv. Mr. LiffSfett. 
the president of the Minnesota College, has written a letter, and also 
in an interview has expressed a strong desire that the study of do- 
mestic science shall be provided with means for doing a more practical 
and a wider work than they are yet enabled to do. President Jesse, 
of the Missouri University, realizes the need, and has expressed him- 
self in a letter as desiring that some means shall be taken by which 
a department may be established in that university and the State 
sentiment developed for the better education of their women in do- 
mestic science. 

Professor Yoorhees, of the New Jersey Agricultural College, told 
me that he has a davighter who has a taste for domestic science; that 
he has carefully investigated the different departments in the colleges 
that he may find a means of education for her which will be as thor- 
ough and satisfactory as education in other lines, but that he has 
found no college where this education can be furnished in a way as 
satisfactorily as the manner in which other branches of industry are 
taught. 

From all over the nation the desire and the need for a systematic 
study of the uses and methods of the preparation of food are shown 
by the ignorance and the wastefulness of so many of the housekeep- 
ers, who would very willingly adopt better means in their homes if 



6 BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 

they had some way by which they could get the right information to 
enable them to use and prepare food intelligently. 

It is not only these who are aware of this lack and of the trouble 
brought to homes through ignorance on this subject, but the best 
housekeepers are also awaking to the fact that by a united effort bet- 
ter and more systematic means of information and education would 
enable them in their homes to perform their duties more satisfactorily. 

I believe that covers the points. I have stated the number of those 
who are interested, and the reasons why the}^ are interested, and what 
they hope to accomplish. Have I covered those points? 

Senator Hansbroitgh. I think so. 

Miss SiCKELS. I tried to do so. 

The Chairman. We would be glad to hear anyone else. 

Mrs. Fairbanks. Mrs. Kvle may wish to sav something*. This is 
the first meeting I have attended. I am very much interested in the 
subject, of course. I really think that domestic science has been too 
long neglected and that Congress should do something in this direc- 
tion. Mrs. Kyle is more familiar with the work of the association 
than I am. 

The Chairman. Mrs. Kyle, we would be glad to hear from you. 

Mrs. Kyle. I always let Miss Sickels do the talking. T do the 
practice in my home. 

Senator Hansbroitgh. I see that we have here a very full report 
on the subject, set forth in a memorial which I presume was prepared 
by some of the ladies Avho are present. It seems to cover this question 
very thoroughly. 

The Chairman. Yes; I have observed that it does. 

Mrs. Kyle. I think it fully explains the matter. 

Senator Hansbroitgh. xVfter what Miss Sickels has said, it seems 
to me that, with the memorial we have before us, the subject is cov- 
ered, unless Mrs. Kyle or Mrs. Fairbanks desire to be heard. 

Mrs. Fairbanks. Thank you; I have nothing to say except to in- 
dorse what Miss Sickels has said. 

Mrs. Kyle. I think it would be a good plan if Ave could get all thai 
is good in the line of the French cooks and the Italian and German 
cooks and make a comparison and throw out what we do not need to 
know in this country. 

Senator Hansbrough. Throwing out the indigestible portion? 

Mrs. Kyle. Yes; throwing all' tliat out and just keeping the best. 
That is one idea that I have had in mind. 

Senator Hansbrough. Is there anything in addition to the memo- 
rial presented by Senator Kyle containing information on this 
question ? 

Miss Sickels. No, sir. 

Senator Roach. It covers the whole ground, does it not ? 

Senator Hansbrough. I think so. It is very thorough and very full. 

Mrs. Kyle. The work is in its infancy as yet. 

Mrs. Fairbanks. Senator Hansbrough came in after the hearing 
began and perhaps he does not understand about the amendment that 
is proposed as an addition to the paragraph making an appropriation 
for nutrition investigations. 

The Chairman. It is proposed in lieu of a separate bill to add in 
the agricultural appropriation bill $10,000 to $15,000 for nutrition 
investisrations. 



BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 7 

Miss SiCKELS. We do not ask for three million, or* anything like 
that sum, but we just want to show what can be done. 

Mrs. Kyle. We would like to start schools and carry on the work 
thoroughh^ 

Senator Hansbrough. The Agricultural Department has had this 
matter under consideration? 

The Chairman. Yes; the Secretary of Agriculture has written a 
letter on the subject, which is here. I will ask the secretary, Mr. 
Avery, to read the letter. 

Mr. Avery read as follows : 

Department of Agriculture, Office of the Secretary, 

Washinffton, D. C, January 20. 1899. 
Hon. Redfield Proctor, 

United States Senate. 

My Dear Senator : I liave received from Mr. Brainard Avery, clerk to the 
Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, a copy of 'Senate bill 4698, to 
establish a bureau of domestic science, upon which my recommendations are re- 
quested; also a coi)y of an amendment to H. R. 11266 (the agricultural appro- 
priation bill), appropriating $5,000 to enable me to investigate and report upon 
the physiological action and nutritive value of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. 

For some years past Congress has ai)propriated $15,000 for nutrition investi- 
gation in this Department to enable the Secretary of Agriculture '• to investigate 
and report upon the nutritive value of the various articles and connnodities userl 
for human food, with specinl suggestions of full, wholesome, and edible rations 
less wasteful and more economical than those in common use." In carrying on 
this investigation, subjects very closely related to " domestic science " were 
necessarily investigated ; and if there is now any feature of the work which 
Congress thinks we should push with more vigor, the Department is equipped 
and ready to obey. This applies equally to the amendment which provides for 
an investigation of the nutritive value of alcohol. In that event Congress might 
ha\'e to provide for additional appropriations, but for the work in hand the 
appropriations are sufficient. 

We are i)ushing this work witli all deliberate speed and endenvoring to arouso 
the active interest of the agricultural colleges and experiment stations, so that 
they will i)ut in practice the conclusions and facts brought out by this Depart- 
ment through Dr. Atwater's nutrition investigations. This work is now being 
conducted under the Office of Exi)eriinent Stations and can very well be con- 
tinued without the establishment of another division or bureau. 
Very truly, yours. 

James Wilson. Seeretdri/. 

Mr. Hansbrough. I suggest that the memorial presented by Sen- 
ator Kyle be included in the hearing, so that we can have the matter 
together in a convenient form. 

The Chairman. I think that should be done. 

Senator Roach. Certainly. 

The memorial referred to is as follows: 

Mr. Kyle presented the following memorial relative to the bill 
(S. 4698) to establish a bureau of domestic science: 

TNTRODUiCTORY ADDRESS BY MISS EMMA C. SICKELS. 

The subject which I would briefly call to your attention is the first 
in history, but the last one to be considered in the point of progress. 
Conventions are held where the best methods of production are ably 
discussed and public policy influenced. Our great Government has 
established a department for which $3,500,000 was appropriated last 
year for investigations into the production of food. Colleges are 
established throughout the country where every facility is provided 
for education in the production of food. State fairs are held with 



8 BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 

generous apprepriatioiis. Institutes are conducted for further con- 
sideration of this question, and yet of what vahie is all of this ex- 
penditure and effort if the healthful, nutritious product of the soil 
is mixed with unhealthful, even poisonous, substances, or if the food 
which may be produced with the greatest skill and manufactured 
with the highest standard of purity is ruined through the ignorance 
of the cook? Do you realize that you rise early, work late, deny 
yourself pleasures that your family may be well fed, and then actu- 
ally pay your grocer for supplying you with food which poisons 
your families and undermines their health? Do j^ou know that 
there is really no protection against this most subtle and most 
universal form of manslaughter, and that unprincipled men can 
without fear become rich at the cost of the health, even of the life, 
of the community? 

But, unfortunately, very few human beings exercise the same 
intelligence in feeding themselves or their families which the farmer 
uses in feeding his cattle, or the farmer's wife observes in feeding the 
stove. You would not supply the cattle Avith sawdust nor feed 
the stove with stones, but great care and forethought are given to the 
kind of fodder which will produce the desired results, or the fuel 
needed, and yet the disastrous results of ignorance or neglect of right 
foods are universal and of incomparably more importance. 

I therefore recommend to your consideration and action any effort 
which may tend toward defending your work from this perversion of 
its most essential object, and that you agitate and legislate in such a 
manner that the public may be protected. This is not essentially a 
woman's question. This is not especially woman's work. It under- 
lies all interests of humanity more completely than does ^nj other 
one subject, but men are the voters, men are the legislators, and men 
are the principal eaters ; at least they are the monitors and the critics 
as to the food which is cooked, and upon them is the responsibility 
of providing the facilities for the education of those who prepare the 
food. The National Pure Food Association has been organized of 
gentlemen whose reputation and position command for their work 
the confidence of the public. Their object is public agitation and 
action for pure food. 

The Domestic Science Association has been organized for the pur- 
pose of developing a systematic knowledge of household art and for 
establishing departments where best methods and appliances for the 
preparation of food can be presented as thoroughly and on as com- 
plete and broad a scale as are the departments for presenting methods 
and appliances for the production of food. These are logical and 
inevitable accompaniments of the work of agriculture and demand 
attention. The failure to heed these demands has caused poverty, 
ill health, and untold misery. Intelligent action would tend to bring 
about the solution of one of the most difficult public problems with 
which humanity has to deal. 

DOMESTIC SCIENCE ASSOCIATION . 

The Domestic Science Association was incorj^orated in April, 
1894, " for promoting and developing systematic knowledge of best 
methods and appliances for domestic art and for placing the best 
foods before the greatest number of people." 



BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 9 

During the four years it has been quietly and actively at .work, 
educating public opinion, investigating legislative, social, and educa- 
tional conditions, introducing legislation on this subject in Congress, 
stimulating interest in the Department of Agriculture, securing the 
formation of domestic science committees, and action in the Woman's 
National Council, Farmers' National Congress, and other organiza- 
tions. It has given practical exhibits of best methods and appliances 
for the household (or domestic science exhibits) at Madison Square 
Garden, New York, at the National Electrical Exposition, New 
York, in Washington, Chicago, and elsewhere. 

In March, 1895, the following bill was introduced in Congress by 
the active influence of Mrs. John M. Palmer, vice-president. The 
bill was introduced by Senator Gallinger and referred to the Com- 
mittee on Education and Labor: 

Whereas the industrial edneatioii of woman in honsehokl art is of nation.al 
importance and is a potent element of the hibor problem ; and 

Whereas a complete presentation of best methods and appliances in honse- 
holdl arts would tend toward a solution of the labor problem: 

Be it enactciL That in connection with an exhibit already undertaken by the 
Government a si^ecial department shall be provided for making an effective 
presentation of the best methods and appliances in domestic art. 

The resolution embodied in the above bill was unanimously in- 
dorsed by the Woman's International Council, with the argument 
that large public interests would be served by according to this im- 
portant sphere of woman's work the dignity which would be be- 
stowed upon it by such recognition. 

A domestic science committee was appointed by the council. 

January 7, 1896, a bill for establishing a bureau of domestic science 
in the Department of Agriculture was introduced into the Senate by 
Senator Kyle, chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor and Edu- 
cation, W'hose wife is the president of the organization. 

The department of domestic science was introduced into the Illinois 
State fair in 1890 by Mrs. Palmer and Miss Emma C. Sickels, secre- 
tary of the national association and president of the Chicago society. 
This domestic science department consisted of an exhibit of appliances 
and practice cooking classes of young girls. 

The Chicago Record advanced $100 for starting this work at the 
fair. Miss Sickels conducted the classes in 1896 and 1897 and counted 
it one of the most gratifying experiences in her work that in the 
second year the young girls were waiting eagerly for the opening of 
the classes and took up their work where they had left it the year 
before without forgetting any essential point. 

Realizing the need that concerted action be taken for establishing 
these departments of domestic science in connection with the study of 
agriculture, the following resohition was sent to the Farmers' National 
Congress in Indianapolis: 

Whereas the ultimate object of agriculture is the production of food for 
mankind ; 

Whereas that object fails in the most essential point if the food which is pro- 
duced with skill is mined in ])reparation through ignorance: Therefore, be it 

Resolved, That we. the National Farmers' Congress, use our active influence 
and effort toward establishing a bureau of domestic science in the Department 
of Agriculture at Washington and in the various State agricultural fairs, col- 
leges, and institutes throughout the nation, where best methods and appliances 
for the preparation of food may be presented in connection with best methods 
and appliances for its production. 



10 BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 

It was approved, and in the convention meeting in St. Paul, 1897, 
was officially adopted, and the following committee on domestic sci- 
ence was appointed by the president of the National Farmers' Congress 
to act on the resolution : Emma C. Sickels, chairman ; Mrs. John M. 
Palmer, Springfield, 111.; Mrs. James H. Kyle, Aberdeen, S. Dak.; 
Mr. John M. Stahl, secretary National Farmers' Congress; Hon. 
William H. Liggett, dean Minnesota AgTicultural College; Mrs. H. 
Thane Miller, Cincinnati, Ohio; Hon. Franklin Dye, secretary New 
Jersey State board of agriculture, and F. E. Dawley, director farmers' 
institutes, New York State. 

Those efforts have been in the direction of '' promoting and devel- 
oping systematic knowledge of best methods and appliances for 
domestic art." 

The other object of the corporation has also received active atten- 
tion, namely : " Best food for the greatest number." In order to meet 
and OA^ercome the tendency to leave all practical study and presenta- 
tion of foods in the hands of those " commercially interested," who 
were only too apt to make representations that would sell the goods 
regardless of merit, the following resolutions Avere passed at the regu- 
lar meeting of the Chicago Domestic Science Association, held Mon- 
day, January 18, 1897: 

Whereas the interests of the i»rodiicer. distrilmter, mid consumer are mutual, 
and whatever tends to the advantaj^e of the one pi-oniotes the welfare of the 
other ; 

Whereas in the production, mannfactui-e, and distribution of food it is for the 
mutual advantage of producer and consumer that a high standard be established 
and maintained, fiot only in preparation of food for the mark(4. but also in the 
home ; 

Whereas the Domestic Science Association is organizwl for placing the best 
food before the greatest number of people: Therefore, be it 

Resolved, That we, the members of the Domestic Science Association of Chi- 
cago, will use our active inlluence and co()i)eration with tlie producers, manu- 
facturers, and distributei's of food products toward a more intelligent and 
adequate solution of the food problem, and for a higher standard in the quality 
and use of food in the various stages of production, manufacture, and prei)aration. 

This was the basis of the National Pure Food Association, an asso- 
ciation composed of men and women of national reputation who are 
directly interested in foods from the medical, sociological, and educa- 
tional standpoint, having on its board of directors such names as 
that of Dr. S. J. Jones, ex-president of the American Academy of 
Medicine; Prof. E. J. James, president of the American Academy of 
Political and Social Science; O. L. Deming, editor of Chicago Grocer; 
Tarleton H. Bean, Prof. G. Bamberger, Mrs. A. E. Paul, Mr. W. H. 
Phillips, and others.* 



'■" UESOLUTION nv WHICH THE NATIONAL PURE POOU ASSOCIATION WORKS WITPI 
AND THROUGH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. 

Whereas the health and welfare of human life s(^ largely depend upon the 
nutritive value and purity of food; 

Whereas not only are our commercial reputations and interest at liome and 
abroad iniured by the manufacture and sale of s])urious and adulterated foods, 
but also human life and health are .1eoi)ardized : Therefore, be it 

Resolved. That we will seelv to secure and to have enforced uniform national 
laws by which business integrity and public welfare may be protected. 

Be if furthev resolved. That we nse our active influence and effort toward 
more general knowledge of the use of the best foods. 



BUEEAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. H 

Acting in cooperation with the Pure Food Association, the Domestic 
Science Association gave lectures and demonstrations of foods in the 
important clubs and organizations in Chicago during 1897. The 
danger to the permanent benefit by poorly prepared '^ teachers " made 
this resolution necessary. 

The following was adopted March 27, 1897: 

Be it further resolved. That our influence and (•()()]>er!it!<)n shall be j^Miided by 
merit, without favor or prejudice to any: strivinj; to develop and maintain a 
high standard of food for the.marlvet and the home, opposing that which is of 
low grade or makes false pretense for the salve of gain, and that we urge that 
those associated with us give us their sincere cooperation in promoting a high 
standard in preparation, of foods, discountenancing those who ignorantly or 
dishonestly follow methods of instruction not founded on knowledge or fact. 

In February the domestic science committee of the Farmers' Con- 
gress gave the corn exhibit of the Corn Convention in Chicago. 

Washington City is now the center of action. 

The plan of the organization is to have a limited working- member- 
ship, who can readily keep in touch with the development of the cen- 
tral objects, and by continuous action avoid the interruptions and 
confusion apt to result from frequently changing large bodies. 

Mrs. James H. Kyle, wife of chairman of Senate Committee on 
Labor and Education; Mrs. John M. Palmer, wife of Ex-Senator 
Palmer, of Illinois ; Mrs. Charles W. Fairbanks, Mrs. George Stevens, 
Mrs. Jennie Shepard, Miss Emma C. Sickels ( organizer ),>Irs. E. J. 
Loomis, Mrs. David Alton, Mrs. Charles Babcock, Mrs. James H. 
Krebs, Mrs. Rufus Bartlett, and Mrs. Jessie Patten Milner are among 
those actively identified with the Domestic Science Association. The 
work is supported entirely by the personal contributions of the 
directors of the association. 

Resolutions sent to Woman's Christian Temperance Union in 1897 : 

Whereas proper food is a vital element in the problem of temperance; 

Whereas instruction in the principles of nutritive value of food as a preventive 
of the need of stimulants would be a most effective education in temperance; 

Whereas instruction in quality, use, and preparation of food is a logical 
sequence to the investigation and experiments in agriculture undertaken at the 
public expense: Therefore, be it 

ResolvefL That we, the Woman's Christian Tem])erance Tnion. will take 
action toward the development of education in the nutritive value of foods at 
the various centers throughout the nation where investigation and experiments 
are being conducted, at public expense, in the production of food. 

This resolution was sent from the Domestic Science Association of Chicago. 

[CORPORATE SEAL.l EAIMA C. vSiCKELS, 

President. 
Martha H. Krebs, 

Heeretarji. 
Mrs. David Alton, 

ForiHcr /'resident !>!()t(t/i Side Woiiiuii'h CJiristidti Teniperanee JJni(rn. 

Mrs. Charles Babcock, 
Former Secretary Houtli Side \Voii}(iirs! Chriittian Teinperanee Union. 

Mrs. E. .J. LooMis. 

Coinmittee. 

Copies of this resolution were sent to the local executive committee 
of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, to the Illinois State 
Woman's Christian Temperance Union, and to the national conven- 
tion, where they Avere referred to the committee on resolutions. The 
Domestic Science Association was informed that a '' committee would 
be aj^pointed in this important w^ork." This has been done. 



12 BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 

Much missionar}^ work has been done in the study of foods by the 
Domestic Science Association, which has branched out in unexpected 
directions, and both directly and indirectly bears evidence of the 
soundness of the principles and practicability of its methods. 

Following is a copy of bill recently introduced in the United States 
Senate : 

A BILL to eslablisli a bui't'au of domestic science. 

Be it enacted hy the i<en(ite ami House of Representatires of the United 
States of Ameriea in Congress (isscnthJed. That the sum of ten thoiisaiul dollars 
is hereby appropriated, from any fnnds in the Treasury not otherwise appro- 
priated, for the purpose of establishing, in connection with the Department of 
Agriculture, a bureau of domestic science, in which investigations as to methods 
and appliances for the preparation of food shall be conducted ; and said bureau 
shall make an annual report of such investigations, which shall be printed for 
general distribution. 

STATEMENT OF EU. T. H. BEAN, OF THE NATIONAL PURE FOOD 

ASSOCIATION. 

Dr. Bean. Mr. Chairman, if I may be allowed a word, I will state 
that the object of the meeting this morning is not in any wa}^ to inter- 
fere with or to lessen the opportunity for work in the Department of 
Agriculture, but to do something more than is undertaken by the 
Department, and something which appears to us quite as necessary to 
the public welfare. 

I have known of Dr. Atwater's investigations of nutrition for more 
than twenty years, and I know they are admirable, and that they have 
served an extremely useful purpose; but this committee of the 
Domestic Science Association and the associations which they repre- 
sent desire to go a step further. Besides showing the nutritive value 
of the food, they desire to show the methods of its preparation for 
introduction on the table, so that it may be suitable for human food. 

The Chairman. That is embraced in the amendment. 

Dr. Bean. It is embraced in the amendment — that is to say, it is to 
be done by the additional $10,000 which is asked in the agricultural 
appropriation bill. You will observe from the letter of the Secretary 
of Agriculture, as well as from the reports of the work, that those 
reports do not cover anything except nutrition, the nutritive value of 
food. This goes bej^ond and is intended to show how nutritious food 
may be properly made useful for consumption. 

ADDITIONAL STATEMENT OF MISS EMMA C. SICKELS. 

Miss SiCKELS. May I add a word ? 

The Chairman. Certainly. 

Miss SiCKELS. I should like to state that I presented to Secretary 
Wilson a letter, forwarded to me by Mrs. Palmer, from the wife of 
Consul Barnes, in Cologne, Germany, saying that she realizes the im- 
portance of the introduction of corn, and her husband and herself 
desire to do all that is possible in this direction in Germany, but that 
unless they have a better knowledge of the methods of the prepara- 
tion of corn they will be able to do but little. 

The Chairman. It is not everyone who knows how to make corn 
bread,' although the process seems very simple. 



BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE, 13 

Senator Hansbrough. I should like to have the amendment to the 
agTicultiiral appropriation bill inserted in the hearing at this point. 
The amendment is as follows : 

Clau.sc to be inserted in af/rienJtiirdl bill noir ijendiiicj. 

For Dutrition investigations, * * * $25,000: Provided. That $10,000 of 
this sum shall he expended for investigations and reports upon hest methods 
and appliances for the preparation of food with a view to advancing the inter- 
ests of domestic science and to securing useful mformation for distrihution in 
the homes of the people. 

Miss SiCKELS. I submit a letter from Mr. Voorhees, who is quite 
familiar with Professor Atwater's work, having been associated with 
him, in which he speaks of this special line of work as being of great 
importance. 

The letter referred to is as follows : 

Nkw Jersey Agricultural Experiment Stations, 

New Jirioi.sirirl-. y. J., January 2o, 1899. 

Miss Emma C. Sickels, Washington, D. C. 

My Dear Madam : I have your letter of the 23d instant, and have to say iu 
reply that owing to mv absence from the city I was unable to write to Secretary 
Wilson as per your request, until yesterday. I expect to be in Washington 
next week, and shall then personally see a number of our Congressmen. I have 
already seen .Mr. Howell, who represents this district. You may be assured 
that I'am interested in this matter, and that I am doing what I believe to be 
work which will be of assistance. 

Very truly, yours, 3^. B. Voorhees, Director. 

Dr. Bean. Mr. Atwater is a chemist, and gives us the nutritive 
properties of food, but gives nothing about their preparation. 
Miss SicKELS. I have many other similar letters. 
Senator Hansbrough. Mr. Chairman, does this conclude the hear- 

The Chairman. If that is all these ladies have to say, we will not 

detain them longer. , n ^ i ^ ^ 

Senator Hansbrough. For my part I am very glad to have heard 

them 

Miss SicKELS. Secretary Trimble, of the National Grange, is here, 
and the Grange represents so wide a field that we would like to have 

you hear him. ^ ,. -, , ^i . 

Senator Hansbrough. Mr. Trimble, I did not observe that you 

were present. i,m- rr^ • i -i 

The Chairman. AVe shall be glad to hear you, Mr. Trimble. 

STATEMENT OF JOHN TRIMBLE, SECRETARY OF THE NATIONAL 
GRANGE, PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 

Mr. Trimble. Mr. Chairman, I am not here to make a speech, nor 
will i make one. I am heart and soul in sympathy with this move- 

ment 

The Chairman. Does the National Grange Association indorse it? 

Mr Trimble. We do, most heartily. Personally and officially I am 
in favor of it, and I believe it a matter of vital importance to the 
farming interests, which I immediately represent. 

I wish to say but one word in this connection, and I should like to 
have it impressed upon the committee and the Senate. I am an enthu- 
siast, and have been for manv years, on the subject of the great Ameri- 
can product, the greatest American product— corn : and I should like 



14 BUREAU OF DOMESTIC SCIENCE. 

to have that, if it can come about in this way, made a prominent 
feature. I have all my life, as long as I can remember, anyway, be- 
lieved in corn as food in its various forms, and I have eaten it daily. 
I believe as an article of food it is the best. 

The Chairman. Mr. Secretary, do you believe that developing this 
work of the Domestic Science Association would increase the market 
demand for corn? 

Mr. Trimble. Yes, sir. 

ADBITIONAL STATEMENT OF MISS EMMA C. SICKELS. 

Miss SicKELS. May I also refer to an article upon corn in the June 
North American Review, by Mr. John M. Stahl? He has written an 
article on corn in which he refers to the work of our committee on 
domestic science. 

The Chairman. The Farmers' National Congress has taken action 
on this subject? 

Miss SicKELS. Yes ; they took official action indorsing it, and I read 
the resolution they adopted, which also appears on page 3 of the 
memorial. This work has been developed through each of the organi- 
zations, and also through the National Pure Food Association, whose 
headquarters are in Chicago, to which reference is made on page 4 of 
the memorial. 

The Chairman. My colleague, Mr. Hansbrough, and myself have 
charge of the pure-food bill. Mr. Hansbrough reported it a few days 
ago to the Senate as it is on the Calendar. 

Miss SiCKELS. The National Pure Food Association was incor- 
porated two years ago, and through the Pure Food Congress, to which 
we have been delegates, we have hoped to develop one of the branches 
of the work of our organization, which is legislation. The National 
Pure Food Association was incorporated for all the purposes which 
lead to the development of the study of food. It was incorporated 
before the Pure Food Congress was thought of, and we aided in the 
development of the congress as one of our means of working. 

The Chairman. The hearing has been a very interesting one, and if 
there is nothing further the subcommittee will adjourn. 

The subcommittee thereupon adjourned. 

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